``I was scared to death he was going and I needed to do something to channel my energies and fears,'' Donna Bibisi said.

They intended to keep the sign up until Bibisi's brother, 1st Lt. Frank R. DuVerger III, came home from his tour with the Army's 3rd Infantry.

Bibisi was shocked when she received a letter from the town's zoning and planning commission that Bibisi's neighbor, who lives behind them, had complained about the sign, which was tacked between two trees.

``We didn't think anyone would make a fuss,'' she said.

Town officials said the sign did not conform to regulations because it was too big and too close to the road and to her neighbor's property line.

According to the town's sign regulations, temporary signs can be no bigger than 4 square feet and must be set back at least 10 feet from the property line.

Bibisi's sign was 4 feet by 8 feet and stood out on their rural street.

Zoning Enforcement Officer Gary Goeschel II said he went to the Bibisis' home on McDonald Road to investigate the complaint.

``I'm compelled to investigate it. That goes whether they have a junk car on their property or a shed,'' Goeschel said.

It wasn't the first time the neighbor, Alan Hamlin, has complained about his neighbors. He complained that their shed was too close to his property and that the Bibisis blew leaves and snow into his driveway. Hamlin could not be reached for comment.

Bibisi moved the sign farther from the property line, but says she won't make it smaller.

``We put it up in honor of all the men and women who are fighting for our country,'' she said.

Meanwhile, Bibisi said she has received an outpouring of support from friends and neighbors.

Debbie Mientus, who works with Bibisi in the office of a local elementary school, said she wonders if Hamlin has any relatives or friends deployed in Iraq.

``Did you ever stop to think for a moment that families who have loved ones in Iraq have enough to worry about while we live vicariously here in the states for those that serve?'' Mientus said.

The Bibisis' children, Blake and Brooke, said the sign reminds them of their uncle.

``It's to keep memories of him,'' said Blake, 11.

``I think it's support. It reminds me of my uncle,'' said Brooke, 9.

If Hamlin insists, Goeschel said he would tell the Bibisis to reduce its size.